Why Is My Brake Fluid Low - Let Me Explain Why and What To Check

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  • Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024

Комментарии • 214

  • @Robs_Got_A_Gun
    @Robs_Got_A_Gun 2 года назад +66

    Sometimes when i buy a Car i top off the Brake Fluid.... then a few Months later i put new Brake Pads on and spend about 15 Mins wondering why i can't Fully Depress the Piston on the Calipers, Then it hits me.... Too much brake fluid in the reservoir, Makes me feel dumb 😂

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад +6

      Yesssss

    • @Robs_Got_A_Gun
      @Robs_Got_A_Gun 2 года назад +1

      @@FordBossMe Lol I've done it more than once

    • @mlieser1230
      @mlieser1230 2 года назад +5

      I use a battery filler (a big bulbed turkey baster) to suck some fluid out of the reservoir before I compress the pistons.

    • @Error-bj1yi
      @Error-bj1yi 2 года назад +1

      Bruh how many cars do you have if you say sometimes 😳

    • @Robs_Got_A_Gun
      @Robs_Got_A_Gun 2 года назад +2

      @@Error-bj1yi used to trade alot of Mustangs and Trucks around.. lol

  • @robertbehan9186
    @robertbehan9186 2 года назад +13

    I figured if you know enough to check your brake fluid, you know it's relative to how much brake material you have left. A clear indicator that you need to check your brake pads/shoes. I did take two years auto shop in high school, and my dad has me changing brakes at 12 years old. That's what dad's did back then..

  • @johnbalascio6128
    @johnbalascio6128 Год назад +3

    Finally a smart tech. I tell people that all the time and have had mechanics argue with me about it.

  • @tehscope9422
    @tehscope9422 Год назад +2

    Nice , I'm 61 been driving since 16 and never thought of that , makes perfect sense.

  • @JT-lq4yd
    @JT-lq4yd 2 года назад +8

    Rich, I believe you dotted the i's and crossed all the t's on this brake fluid video. Although it is short is very well explained. Keep this excellent content coming.

  • @lauriemacquanan2141
    @lauriemacquanan2141 2 года назад

    First time viewer, what an easy way to know the brakes need to be checked out/ replaced. I am not a mechanic. I have read many comments it seems most are from the mechanics view. It shows how people on my side (client) are numptys and have their head in the sand thanks for the heads up.i appreciate all you mechanic's and video makers. Thank you for helping me.

  • @sparkythedetroitdoggo8281
    @sparkythedetroitdoggo8281 2 года назад +2

    I've been telling people this for years ! I can't tell you how many times I've replaced brake pads and while seating the caliper piston , fluid squirts out the reservoir ! Great advice for those who don't know .

  • @Beauvincelli
    @Beauvincelli 2 года назад +1

    Truth. Listen to this guy. He knows a thing or 2.

  • @josephtober9417
    @josephtober9417 2 года назад +6

    Another home run Rich! Well done.

  • @1970KayCee
    @1970KayCee 11 месяцев назад

    Wow. Thank you for this. I wondered how the fluid was low and I didn’t see any leaks. That makes so much sense🤯. Be blessed

  • @dogbite5509
    @dogbite5509 2 года назад +4

    Great advice. People don't always recognise the relationship between low brake fluid and and worn brake pads. Old brake fluid is an often forgotten maintenance area in the UK where people dont adhere to the 2-3 year replacement of it.

  • @g-manracer1997
    @g-manracer1997 Год назад +1

    Facts.
    Also when resetting the caliper pistons, loosen the cap, and the process is much easier.
    If it's full, then remove some or place something under the MC, because it will overflow during this process. Just remember to replace the cap at the end lol

  • @superbassman2678
    @superbassman2678 2 года назад +1

    That should have been so obvious to me but it wasn't. Thanks for clarifying.

  • @lucky7s94
    @lucky7s94 Год назад

    Well done 👏 I was just explaining this to the FNG at my job the other day as he was topping off brake fluid on a repeat customers car that will be due for brake service on the next oil change anyway. Unless it's under the min mark, don't bother it. If you top it off constantly, the excess will either need to be drained or extracted or it will spill out of the reservoir when the calipers are reset during a brake job and end up on the shop floor. Tends to be a waste of fluid

  • @wb3161
    @wb3161 Год назад

    I’m glad you made this video I’ve been working as a mechanic for about 38 years and this is absolutely true. People see it low,top it off you replace brake pads and fluid pushes out the top and drips all over. However I don’t agree with flushing not that it’s a bad thing just not necessary

  • @FgtTunning
    @FgtTunning 2 года назад +1

    and that's why am against filling up breaks fluids. as one of my customers came to me first time with break noise when I checked fluids where full and when I removed the wheel she was grinding metal also the sensor was disabled. lucky I saved someone life that day

    • @mikebastiat
      @mikebastiat 2 года назад

      Can you help me understand the problem? I just changed my brake pads, and since I had to get one new caliper, I lost a little fluid and topped it off. Is this bad?

  • @blendpinexus1416
    @blendpinexus1416 Год назад +2

    yup, a friend pointed out the low brake fluid and mentioned to check the pads, sure enough they were low and a week later they were squeeling.

  • @danielfinney4295
    @danielfinney4295 2 года назад +1

    I'm glad that you've explained this to people who don't know how the hydraulic system of brakes work..
    Plus I haven't seen you come across my page for a while, how you doing?

  • @chadsmobilemechanics
    @chadsmobilemechanics Год назад

    Well said and 70% of the nation doesn't know this...
    I pull up to a customer location, start the inspection, pop hood and without seeing the pads only being in engine bay area initially I make suggestion "pending a visual inspection" sir / ma'am you need Pads amd def flush serviced
    they scratch their head like how the hell can you know that by looking under the hood...lol... then explain the physical theory and the fact there's no leaks and brake fluid doesn't evaporate and 80% of time Max level to minimum line your at 20% pad left, if not a credit card or 2 thickness from diggingninto rotors......not in all aspects but this theory is spot on mahority of time...

  • @johnder1203
    @johnder1203 2 года назад +1

    Thought I had some RUclips knowledge on cars, guess I was wrong. Learn something new every day.

  • @vais3
    @vais3 2 года назад +1

    Bingo! More fluid takes the space. Many forget this or do not know. Another great vid!

  • @crazycanaboy95
    @crazycanaboy95 2 года назад

    Wow finally someone who actually knows what that means I service trucks and some of the people I work with blow me the f*** away when I see them on the few trucks that we actually have that use brake fluid adding brake fluid to the trucks and then just a few days I get these trucks back in and check and now I need a new set of rotors

  • @joshuaskidmore8835
    @joshuaskidmore8835 2 года назад

    Good stuff.... I also learned that when you have to slam on your brakes it boils your brake fluid, after that happens the fluid is broke down, turns a darker color and should b flushed out, leaving it causes other issues with seals going bad and the rubber hoses start breaking down from the inside

  • @johnwheeler7805
    @johnwheeler7805 2 года назад +5

    15 years of working on my own vehicles. I never put those 2 things together.

  • @GGwasEZ
    @GGwasEZ 2 года назад +1

    Told this to nearly everyone I could at Valvoline. 90% of our customer base didn't know what a blinker is let alone how to use their brights. It's amazing what the simplest of things can do to help others.
    My biggest issue is, when did this BASIC, COVERED BY THE OWNERS MANUAL kinda thing was forgotten about. It is the manufacturers fault for no longer including a manual? Shit maybe people just got too content. Idk. It's all dumb as hell.

    • @cjolney
      @cjolney 2 года назад

      The average person in today's world is a literal NPC. They walk around the world barely able to function, then when something doesn't go according to plan everything stops until Google is consulted for life advice.

  • @danhenson7366
    @danhenson7366 Год назад +1

    last week I had a customer add power steering fluid to the brake reservoir lol sold him pads rotors and flushed the system

  • @farmsgrace341
    @farmsgrace341 2 года назад

    For my silverado, it was the seal between the master and the booster is what gave out. Could never visually find a leak anywhere under the truck and the pads were newish but I had to keep topping off the reservoir. Finally decided to pull the master just to check and found that the booster was almost half way full with fluid.

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      That's possible for many vehicles

  • @randyboyle8379
    @randyboyle8379 2 года назад +19

    I’m surprised so many people don’t know this.
    But who let’s them get that worn anyway

    • @carnbyarst670
      @carnbyarst670 2 года назад +2

      People that don't know this...

    • @slyfox4564
      @slyfox4564 Год назад +2

      Most people realize their brakes are crap when its metal on metal. All they know about csrs is that they put them in drive and they go

    • @karlmiller7500
      @karlmiller7500 Год назад +3

      you'd be surprised, some people drive their vehicle and beat it to death until there is nothing left but a steering wheel.

    • @countrydelite5956
      @countrydelite5956 Год назад +2

      Some people are still looking for the blinker fluid reservoir.

  • @ChessIsJustAGame
    @ChessIsJustAGame 2 года назад +1

    Some cars have a level gage that'll turn on your brake warning light in the cab when its time to check your brake... pads.

  • @landonthompson5604
    @landonthompson5604 2 года назад

    I used to get so perturbed with the lube techs because on the 24 point check Ford had you could mark if you filled or not filled any particular fluids, the brake fluid seemed to get filled and if they upsold a front brake pads and turning the rotors with the on the car lathe, I would compress the calipers just to have a damned mess of brake fluid everywhere, yes I would remove the cap from the master cylinder but still it caused plenty of problems for other techs until I finally decided to extract fluid from the master cylinder prior to compressing the calipers. I would remove the slides, clean them really good, clean the female area of the slide, brake clean the hell out of it, wipe down good and inspect the rubber boots for damage, if none I used dielectric grease.

  • @christophermattingly5632
    @christophermattingly5632 Год назад +1

    That’s right about time somebody knows that

  • @nimrodpaul6875
    @nimrodpaul6875 Год назад

    Loved this!

  • @BurchellAtTheWharf
    @BurchellAtTheWharf 2 года назад +1

    If your brake fluid is low, don't mean you got a leak necessarily your brake pads can be worn down

  • @mrfordman9999
    @mrfordman9999 2 года назад

    THANK YOU!!! Oh my God I have HARPED about this for YEARS as a mechanic.

  • @jcismyname420
    @jcismyname420 2 года назад +2

    Those master cylinders leak into the back of the brake booster also

  • @jimknight2041
    @jimknight2041 Год назад

    Come to think of it back in the 70s when I was in auto shop the shop teacher said not to top off the brake fluid because it's a closed system.
    Your right there 2 things, your brake pads are low or a leak in the system.

  • @gypsydildopunks7083
    @gypsydildopunks7083 2 года назад

    Very helpful, I did not know that. Thanks

  • @reekz1568
    @reekz1568 2 года назад +1

    It’s a sealed system. The calipers drink from the bottle. If the bottle is low it’s cause the pad life is low. If the pad life is okay and the bottle is low, the system has a leak. That’s how I explain it to customers.

    • @copable
      @copable Год назад

      What if my brakes were going out but my brake fluid is still high? Changed my brakes and idk if I should change my brake fluid also. It’s right at the max but is is kinda dark.

  • @martens4709
    @martens4709 2 года назад

    People neglect their brakes and fluids and sometimes they just don't know. The fluid is just as important as the pads and rotors and everything else. Good advice tho makes sense to me

  • @speezy1414
    @speezy1414 Год назад

    You’re exactly right. I tell my dealer this and for some reason they say no they’re good

  • @MrSahdaddy
    @MrSahdaddy 2 года назад +1

    Absolutely dead on!

  • @carnbyarst670
    @carnbyarst670 2 года назад +1

    I do check my brake pads, never occurred to me to check the fluid level. Duh!

  • @karlmiller7500
    @karlmiller7500 Год назад

    you sound like a top notch mechanic, thank you.

  • @JohnSmith-xu7ev
    @JohnSmith-xu7ev 2 года назад +1

    I don't know any person that ever opens their engine hood, so that's very rare to add brake fluid

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      Quick Lube places also do this

    • @scottpolk1698
      @scottpolk1698 2 года назад

      Maybe you should think about that

  • @Stahodad
    @Stahodad Год назад

    Nice tip! I had the dash lite come on once for the same issue...

  • @GirlGangsta33
    @GirlGangsta33 2 года назад +1

    Spot on!!!

  • @contraband1543
    @contraband1543 2 года назад +1

    Pad wear is the number one cause of low brake fuild

  • @Jpilgrim30
    @Jpilgrim30 2 года назад

    On that particular vehicle I’d also be checking inside the booster as those trucks have a tendency to leak from the seal in the master cylinder into the booster.

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      Preaching to the choir you are!!! Buddy this is my profession
      I've done dozens of these for the so called brake booster seal leak and not a single one has had it leaking nor in my career have I found more than a handful that have had this problem
      So common? Not really

    • @Jpilgrim30
      @Jpilgrim30 2 года назад +2

      @@FordBossMe No need to get so defensive it’s a lot of our professions. As someone who’s worked as an independent for over 20 years I’ve seen more than a few of these GM trucks with a brake booster half full of brake fluid from a leaking master cylinder.

    • @korycurtis3730
      @korycurtis3730 2 года назад +1

      As a gm tech of 20 years its way more common on gm then you think.

  • @minimanadam
    @minimanadam 2 года назад +1

    Lol it always over flows when doing brake changes..always make sure to take off that cap befor brake change just encase too much has been added

  • @jose38452
    @jose38452 2 года назад

    Very good video and it’s the first time what a heard about it
    Gracias eres chingon

  • @007heatingandair
    @007heatingandair 2 года назад

    I get customers come in all the time all proud they topped off their fluid but the brakes make noise.

  • @rodmitchell8787
    @rodmitchell8787 Год назад

    Very good,except that when you listed the types,I’m sure you meant to say DOT 5.1 and NOT DOT 5 , which is Silicone brake fluid(developed by the US military for long-term use in their vehicles) it cannot be mixed with glycol-based fluids, and is not suitable for cold weather applications, since it is not hygroscopic, and cannot absorb moisture like glycol-based fluid and could form ice crystals, and blockages in the master cylinder and the ABS unit, its other advantage is that it will not harm paint or plastic

  • @newjargon1697
    @newjargon1697 2 года назад +1

    I actually never thought about that. Damn so simple too. Thanks for the video, keep that content coming brother.

  • @TheSaxAppeal
    @TheSaxAppeal Год назад

    I need to service my brakes, my fluid level isn't as low as this but there's some squish in there

  • @bleach_drink_me
    @bleach_drink_me 2 года назад +1

    This is why I always make sure when new pads are put all around,the brake fluid is at max when it leaves. Helps during future services as well when doing a visual.

  • @pantherplatform
    @pantherplatform 2 года назад

    The pedal in my gm went to the floor one day and I replaced the mc right away. Still haven't had to replace the pads or rotors tho. No rust obviously. My 95 town car needs brakes every winter because it's my penultimate winter car and the salt ruins everything cept the structural integrity of the car.

  • @eddiefromcali
    @eddiefromcali 2 года назад

    Sometimes it could mean you have a leak at the master cylinder. Specially on those trucks...known for leaks there into the booster

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад +1

      I did specify if there were no leaks

    • @eddiefromcali
      @eddiefromcali 2 года назад +1

      @@FordBossMe leaks into the booster are not visible....fluid just "disappears"

    • @TsunauticusIV
      @TsunauticusIV 2 года назад +2

      @@eddiefromcali well if your pads are good and the fluid is disappearing... you have a leak. If nothing visual... then you continue testing/diagnosing until you find the LEAK. 😂

  • @josephdonatto8166
    @josephdonatto8166 Год назад

    Brake’s 101. I stopped telling people because they didn’t Believe me.

  • @adriannewman1322
    @adriannewman1322 2 года назад

    I've seen that alot brake pads low but they just keep putting fluid in

  • @chrisbraid2907
    @chrisbraid2907 Год назад

    New Fluid? I let mine age for ten years, even the stuff in the seventies and eighties was good for that and we have better materials in our brakes now. Good tip though. I'd use an old syringe to remove fluid at pad change time .

  • @master6435
    @master6435 2 года назад

    Ahhh dot 5 I believe is for motorcycle and can't mix with dot 3 or 4 because dot 5 is not polyalkylene glycol base but dot 5.1 is polyalkylene glycol based

  • @rwpro382
    @rwpro382 2 года назад

    I love it when the dealer "tops off all fluids" and ruins this system.

  • @kkovler1
    @kkovler1 2 года назад +1

    That's why it is not a good idea to top off brake fluid. If you leave it alone when it's time for new pads the level will come up.

  • @Tony-rl2fr
    @Tony-rl2fr 2 года назад +8

    Woah woah whoa whoa! If the last two years has taught me anything, it's that the world can't handle logic and reason so you better be careful with all this sensible explanation, you could very well create a rift in the space and time continuum 💥

  • @kennyrogers3919
    @kennyrogers3919 2 года назад

    Brake fluid should never have to be topped off because it’s a closed system. If it has to be topped off after doing the brakes then there is a leak somewhere and should then be fixed.

  • @THEMOWERMEDIC1
    @THEMOWERMEDIC1 2 года назад

    Can’t get this thru to our oil bay guys. If no leaks are present and the reservoir is way low chances are a brake job is in need, they are too lazy to write it on the RO and run the
    Vehicle thru the main shop. So stupid

  • @reekz1568
    @reekz1568 Год назад

    I have to explain this same thing to everyone who doesn’t know “why is my brake fluid low? Can’t you just add some?” I’m like no it’s a sealed system. And than I explain it to them pretty much just like this. 😭

  • @gorporpio
    @gorporpio 2 года назад +1

    I don't think continuing to let it drop is the best thing even though it's the pads causing the drop.

    • @supramaniac502
      @supramaniac502 2 года назад

      It's literally a design feature. Like the man said, if you aren't seeing fluid on the ground, plus I would add, if your pedal feels normal, it DOES NOT require topping up. That indicates the system is still sealed as it should be....and your pads are due for a change soon. If you let them go long enough to drop the fluid level in the reservoir below the minimum, I will almost put money on it that you will be hearing some unpleasant noises from one or more of the brakes...

  • @antny2149
    @antny2149 2 года назад

    Bro.. I work on cars all the time and I've never thought about it like that. It's obvious as F once you pointed it out

  • @tumbleweedtumbleweed
    @tumbleweedtumbleweed Год назад

    Yup 😎

  • @CARRJ142
    @CARRJ142 2 года назад

    Great video.

  • @fredkuhn165
    @fredkuhn165 Год назад

    Hardly anyone changes brake fluid until a line rusts thru

  • @Bruno-g2l2w
    @Bruno-g2l2w Год назад

    I have tried to explain this to so many people over the years and they just don't get it

  • @timothyrachford1868
    @timothyrachford1868 Год назад

    And that is why I yell at lube techs for topping off brake fluid during a oil change

  • @candyjones4841
    @candyjones4841 Год назад +1

    I just got new brake pads but the fluid never got flushed

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад +1

      You don't always flush the brake fluid when doing brakes
      That's an additional 1hr charge

  • @charlesduke2325
    @charlesduke2325 2 года назад

    On a 2007 and up it also could be leaking back in the booster

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      That could be any year you thought you did something here didn't you

  • @georgejungle2255
    @georgejungle2255 2 года назад

    How about the squeaky front rotors.

  • @kentblanchardsr8232
    @kentblanchardsr8232 2 года назад

    That is right!

  • @erics2506
    @erics2506 Год назад

    Do you use fresh brake fluid (new unopened) each time ? As a home mechanic I have several open bottles but always buy new.

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад +1

      As long as when you put the brake fluid away the last time you use it you put the lid on it you don't have to buy new

  • @ronhack8420
    @ronhack8420 2 года назад

    AMEN

  • @TheGenerationX894
    @TheGenerationX894 2 года назад

    If the fluid is low, your brake pads are low, or you have a leak. Probably time for pad replacement

  • @Jay388
    @Jay388 2 года назад

    Another great tip brother. 👍
    Thanks for explaining and helping alot of people out. 😎

  • @jaimejam8903
    @jaimejam8903 Год назад

    I put dot 7 in my car!

  • @neooverby3750
    @neooverby3750 2 года назад

    So many people fill them up and don’t realize there is a reason why it’s low… check your pads haha

  • @korycurtis3730
    @korycurtis3730 2 года назад

    Hey bud i know your a ford tech but from a gm tech you need to be aware gm has crappy master cylinders. Pop off that brake booster vacuum fitting and slide in a 14" zip tie. If you pull it up and got brake fluid on it your gonna need a master cylinder and booster. Very common on these.

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      Ford has a master cylinder recall as well on some of their vehicles or secondary seal leaking

  • @felixguzmanmartinez
    @felixguzmanmartinez Год назад

    Whats the plastic crate for?

  • @kawi4nia599
    @kawi4nia599 2 года назад

    Dot 3 and dot 4 are interchangeable

  • @jovany144879
    @jovany144879 7 месяцев назад

    Hey I seen a clear liquid on rims and floor only one tire ???

  • @metalsurgeon9196
    @metalsurgeon9196 Год назад

    I hate all the lube jockeys that don't know this. Never top brake fluid, tell your customer that they want to go get a brake inspection, they will come back.

  • @paulgrimm6850
    @paulgrimm6850 Год назад

    Always change fluid on brake job

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад +2

      I mean that's an option but you don't always have to do it anybody that says you always have to do something but don't State why you always have to do it simply mean they don't know why they're just saying that because that's their own bias

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад +1

      If I have my brake fluid flushed this year and I ain't ready to get brakes until next year and I get brakes done next year but my fluid is still good there's no reason to change it

  • @skatecrazee1
    @skatecrazee1 2 года назад

    Like a boss

  • @Please_Enter_A_Name7078
    @Please_Enter_A_Name7078 2 года назад

    Hey Rich, I bought a 2011 Ford Ranger with a 114,000 miles about 6 months ago. The brakes squeaked really bad at first when stopping, it’s gotten a little bit better since then, but still squeaks pretty bad here and there. The brake pedal does not go through the floor and they work really well, but do you have any ideas on how to fix this or what to do?

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      They could be ceramic pads and they were never broke in correctly

  • @timdutton2056
    @timdutton2056 Год назад

    fyi... DOT3 and DOT 4 mix just fine.
    Dont use DOT 5 tho.

  • @user-rx7dc7qn9v
    @user-rx7dc7qn9v 2 года назад +1

    Whenever you’re low on brake fluid most of the time about 90% your brake pads are shot and you need to change them stop adding fluid and go get new brake pads 🤣😂🤣

  • @Americansikkunt
    @Americansikkunt Год назад

    Does it matter if the brake fluid is dirty?

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад +1

      Yeah it kinda indicates moisture is building up in it so that's not a great thing

  • @edwardsullivan5481
    @edwardsullivan5481 Год назад

    Why would brake fluid need flushing?

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад

      Because brake fluid is hygroscopic it absorbs moisture over time

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад

      As it absorbs moisture it reduces the boiling point which means your brakes will fade a lot faster than you lose your brake pedal plus it ends up contaminating the system and causing the inside of your brake system to rust

  • @patricktkeegan
    @patricktkeegan 2 года назад

    Mind blown. Thank you sir!

  • @raziqafg
    @raziqafg Год назад

    Or if u have an f150 and it will empty the brake fluid reservoir and suck it in the engine.

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  Год назад

      That's not one of the main reasons
      that reason is because your secondary seal is leaking into the brake booster and you need to replace the master cylinder and more than likely the brake booster as well but that's not common

  • @jeremychevere9677
    @jeremychevere9677 2 года назад

    Flush the fluid just for a brake change ? I mean this is a good but of info but reaching with the fluid change

    • @FordBossMe
      @FordBossMe  2 года назад

      If you see me put something out on this channel you bet your ass it's golden information and it's the best that you're going to get so second guessing anything that I say that I'm sure of in this industry because I'm one of the best guys out here would not be doing you any justice or anybody else so I would suggest that you listen to what I'm saying and follow it to the T for the best results

  • @robertrogers6950
    @robertrogers6950 2 года назад

    Or it’s leaking into the booster. Those year trucks are good for that.